LONDON (The Hollywood Reporter) — The Walt Disney Internet Group said Nov. 7 it has acquired Munich-based mobile games developer and publisher Living Mobile, creator of such games as “Hudson Soft’s Bomberman,” “Lode Runner” and “Resident Evil,” in a bid to raise its games profile and build its European mobile business. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Founded in 2001, with offices in Munich and Prague, Living Mobile is ranked among Europe’s top 10 games publishers, with a portfolio of more than 70 titles that are published across Europe and Singapore.
WDIG recently ramped up its mobile games businesses on the continent with the acquisition of London-based interactive games develop Mind’s Eye. The Disney unit is responsible for creating a range of ringtones, voicetones, games, video downloads, graphics and other applications.
The Living Mobile deal comes shortly after news broke of Disney’s plans to launch its own branded mobile telephony service, Disney Mobile. In June this year, Disney acquired U.K.-based interactive TV games developer Minds Eye in a deal thought to be worth around £10 million ($17.4 million).
Announcing the Living Mobile deal, Mark Handler, exec VP/managing director of WDIG International, said that the North Hollywood-based division was committed to publishing its own Disney-branded content as well as content from third parties.
“Purchasing Living Mobile is a key part of that commitment,” he said. “They have a proven track record in mobile game publishing and world class talent in this new and highly competitive game category, and their strong, existing library makes us a serious competitor in games.”
